(MTPS Oridnance No. 505, of April 29, 2016)
11.1 Safety standards for the operation of elevators, cranes, industrial conveyors, and transport machines.
11.1.1 Elevator and freight elevator shafts must be solidly enclosed throughout their height, except for necessary doors or gates at the floors.
11.1.2 When the elevator cabin is not at the floor level, the opening must be protected by a handrail or other suitable devices.
11.1.3 Equipment used in material handling, such as elevators, freight elevators, cranes, lifts, overhead cranes, hoists, forklifts, winches, conveyor belts, and various types of conveyors, must be designed and constructed to provide the necessary guarantees of strength and safety and maintained in perfect working conditions.
11.1.3.1 Special attention should be given to steel cables, ropes, chains, pulleys, and hooks, which must be continuously inspected, and defective parts replaced.
11.1.3.2 The maximum allowable working load must be indicated in a visible place on all equipment.
11.1.3.3 Special safety conditions are required for equipment intended for personnel movement.
11.1.4 Manual transport carts must have hand protectors.
11.1.5 Operators of self-propelled transport equipment must receive specific training provided by the company to qualify them for this function.
11.1.6 Operators of motorized transport equipment must be qualified and can only operate during working hours if they carry an identification card with their name and photograph in a visible place.
11.1.6.1 The card will be valid for one year, unless unforeseen circumstances arise, and for renewal, the employee must undergo a complete health examination at the employer’s expense.
11.1.7 Motorized transport equipment must have an audible warning signal (horn).
11.1.8 All industrial conveyors must be continuously inspected, and defective or deficient parts must be immediately replaced.
11.1.9 In closed or poorly ventilated areas, the emission of toxic gases by transport machines must be controlled to avoid concentrations in the work environment above permissible limits.
11.1.10 In closed and unventilated areas, the use of transport machines powered by internal combustion engines is prohibited unless they are equipped with adequate neutralizing devices.
11.2 Safety standards for manual sack transport activities.
11.2.1 “Manual sack transport” refers to any activity carried out continuously or intermittently, essential for manual sack transport, in which the load’s weight is fully supported by a single worker, including lifting and deposition.
11.2.2 The maximum distance for manual sack transport is set at 60 meters.
11.2.2.1 Beyond this limit, transport and unloading must be carried out using pushcarts, trailers, handcarts, or any type of mechanized traction.
11.2.3 Manual sack transport over planks spanning more than 1 meter is prohibited.
11.2.3.1 The planks mentioned in item 11.2.3 must have a minimum width of 50 centimeters.
11.2.4 During manual loading and unloading of sacks onto trucks or wagons, the worker must be assisted by a helper.
11.2.5 The height of sack stacks in warehouses must be limited to the floor’s load-bearing capacity, the packaging material’s form and strength, and stability based on the geometry, tying method, and stack inclination.
11.2.7 In mechanized stacking processes, it is advisable to use conveyor belts, chutes, or forklifts.
11.2.8 When mechanized processes are not feasible, manual processes are allowed using removable wooden ladders with the following characteristics:
a) a single flight of steps leading to a final platform;
b) a minimum width of 1 meter, with the platform having minimum dimensions of 1 meter x 1 meter and a maximum height of 2.25 meters from the ground;
c) a suitable proportion between the step’s tread and riser, with the riser not exceeding 15 centimeters in height and the tread not being less than 25 centimeters in width;
d) reinforced laterally and vertically by a metal or wooden structure to ensure stability;
e) equipped with a handrail or guardrail 1 meter high on both sides along its entire length;
f) perfect stability and safety conditions, being immediately replaced if any defect is found.
11.2.9 The warehouse floor must be made of non-slip material, preferably asphalt mastic, and maintained in perfect condition.
11.2.10 Manual sack transport on slippery or wet floors must be avoided.
11.2.11 The company must provide appropriate cover for loading and unloading sack areas.
11.3 Material storage.
11.3.1 The weight of stored material must not exceed the calculated load capacity of the floor.
11.3.2 Stored material must be arranged to avoid obstructing doors, fire-fighting equipment, emergency exits, etc.
11.3.3. Stacked material must be at least 50 centimeters away from the building’s lateral structures.
11.3.4 The load arrangement must not obstruct traffic, lighting, or access to emergency exits.
11.3.5 Storage must comply with special safety requirements for each type of material.
11.4 Moving, storage, and handling of marble, granite, and other stone slabs.
11.4.1 Moving, storage, and handling of marble, granite, and other stone slabs must comply with the Technical Regulation of Procedures contained in Annex I of this NR.